Electkic switch



Nov. 13, 1923. 1,473,950

c. D. BOTTOMLEY Y ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed DSC- 21 1921 2 ShebS-Sheet l Nov. 13, 1923. 1,473,950

' c.D BOTTOMLEY ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed'Dec. 21. 1921 2 sheets-sheet 2 5 .S6 offom lieg Patented Nov. 13, 1923.

CLARENCED. BOTTOMLEY, OF CHARLOTTE, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Appneetien med December 21, 1921. lsemi No. 523,924.

To all whom it may 0071.662121.

Be it known that I, CLARENCE D.'BoT TOMLEY, a citizen of the United States, resid` ing at Charlotte, in the Icounty ofv Eaton, l and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricV Switches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will en- 4able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.-

The invention relates to means for making and breaking electric circuits and isv operated a second time break the circuit and so on in alternation.

The present invention provides ynovel actuating means whereby a pivoted switch member cooperates with a contractile helical spring and actuating means whereby the switch member, when partly actuated by the depressible element, is continued in its movement by the springcooperating therewith either to eifect a closing or a breaking of the circuit according to the relative position of the parts when the depressible element is actuated.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention,'it is 4to'be understood that in adapting thesameto meet ditv ferent conditions and requirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor Ydetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application,

y Figure l is a side view of an electric switch embodying the invention,

Y'Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, the

contact mechanism being shown in elevation,

Figure 3 is a section onthe line 33 of l Figure 1,

Figure @eis a vertical section on the line 4F44 of Figure 2. x

' Figure 5 is a horizontal section' on the line 5-5 of Figure/1,v Figure 6 is a sectional View on the line Figure 7 is a detail view of the base member,

Figure 8 is a detail view of the pivoted trip member, and

Figure 9 is a detail view in elevation of the tripping finger and trip.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The switch embodies a casing 1 and a plunger- 2 l.having telescopic connection therewith and normally pressed outwardly by meansV of a spring 3 of helical form. A base 4 of linsulating material is secured to an end of the casing 1. Two contacts 5 and 6 are-secured to the base 4 to one side thereof. The inner face of the contact 5 is transversely convex, whereas the contact 6 is substantially of L-form, one of the wings constituting astop for the pivoted switch member and the other wing insuring contact between the switch member and the elements 5 when the switch is closed.

A U-standard 7 is secured'to the base 4 and its arms are perpendicular thereto. A stop 8 is provided on theV lower closed end lof the standard 7 and limits the outward movement of the pivoted switch member 9 which is likewise of U-form and has its arms pivoted to the arms of the standard 7. The closed end ofthe switch member 9 is disposed downwardly and is adapted to engage the contacts and 6 and close the circuit therethrough. The switch member 9 is disposed between the arms of the standard 7 alpd is pivoted to the upper ends thereof at rIhe pivoted trip comprises a yoke 10 and a short cross bar 11,`the latter being disposed at one end of the yoke 10. The yoke 1.0 is of substantially U-form and its elements embrace the upperends of the arms of thestandard 7 and are pivoted thereto at 12. An independent-pivot vfastening 12 is provided for each of the arms of the standard 7 and switch member 9, and a separate pivot 122L is provided for each of the elements of the yoke 10 and arms of the standard 7 whereby the space between the upper ends of the arms of the switch member 9 is unobstructed and which is essential as will appear more fully hereinafter. Pins 13 project outwardly from opposite ends of vthe cross bar 11. The trip member is limited in its pivotal movement by means of a stop 111 proj ecting outwardly from an arm of the standard 7 and adapted to engage either end of the cross bar 11. A contractile helical spring 15 connectsv a cross piece 16 of the yoke 10 with a cross piece 17 at the lower end of the switch member 9 and in either position of the switch member 9, the spring 1.3 is wholly to one side of a perpendicular line passing through the axes 12 of the yoke 10, or pivoted trip member, and 7L ofv the switch member 9. In either position of the pivoted trip, the pins 13 are disposed upon opposite sides ot' a. line passing perpendicularly through the axes 12 and 7, this being essential as will presently appear. In one position of the pivoted trip, the switch is closed by reason ot' the switch member 9 engaging both contacts 5 and 6, and in the other position of the switch member, the circuit is broken since the switch member 9 is disengaged from the contacts 5 and 6. In the latter position, the switch member 9 is in contact at its lower end with the stop 8.

A finger 18 is pivotally connected at its upper end with the outer end of the plunger' 2 at 13a and is of' such length as to pass between the pins 13 in either position ot' the pivoted trip. The lower end of the finger 1S passes between the pins 13 and is retained in place by a bar 11a-secured to the outer ends of the pins 13. Stop shoulders 19 are provided at opposite sides of the finger 1S a distance Jfrom the extremity thereof and are adapted to engage the pins 13 and effect a pivotal movement the trip when the plunger 2 is pressed inward. The upper edges of the stop shoulders 19 are inclined as indicated at 20 so as to ride upon the pins 13 in the upward movement of the plunger. The finger 18 is disposed at one side ot the plunger and to one side of' the standard 7 and adjacent the cross bar 11 so as to cooperate with the pins 13 thereof.

It is assumed that the switch is open and the switch member 9 is in position to engage the Stop 8. VTo close the switch, the plunger 2 is pressed inward thereby depressing the finger 1S and the stop shoulder 19 thereof in engagement with the uppermost pin 13 which depresses the latter and operates the pivoted trip so as to swingthe cross piece of the yoke 10 to the opposite side of the standard 7. This pivotal movement of thetrip increases the tension of the spring 15 and at the same time moves the same to the opposite side of a straight line passing perpendicularly through the axis 12 of the trip with the result that the switch member 9 is caused toswing from the inoperative to an `operative position and close the circuit.

The action of the spring 15 is such as to cause a quick or snap movement of the switch member 9, whereby sparking is prevented. f Preure being relieved from the plunger, the latter -is returned to normal position by means ofthe spring 3 which was compressed by the inward movement of the plunger. The pin 13 previously occupying the lowermost position now occupies the uppermost position and the stop shoulder 19 therebelow clears the same on the upward movement of the plunger by reason of the inclined, edge 2O riding on the pin and the instant said stop shoulder clears the pin, the finger 18 assumes a position to bring the stop shoulder in the path of the now uppermost pin 13 so as to engage therewith when the plunger 2 is next depreed whereby to reverse the position of the trip and again return the switch member 9 to inoperative position. It will thus be understood that every alternate movement of the plunger 2 effects an opening of the switch and a breaking of the circuit. The plunger 2 is limited in its upward movement and prevented from turning by a pin and slot connection between it and the casing, the pin 21 beingv threaded intothe plunger and the slot 22 being formed in a side of the casing 1.

That is claimed is: f

1. An electric switch comprising a base of insulating material, spaced contacts mounted upon the base, a standard carried by the base, a switch member pivoted to the standard, a trip comprising a. crossbar and a voke and pivoted to said standard and having projections upon opposite sides of an axial line, a contractile helical spring connecting the yoke portion of the trip wit-h the swinging end of the switch member, a plunger, and a finger carried by the plunger and' extending between the projections of the pivoted trip and provided with opposed shoulders having their outer edges inclined.

2. A switch comprising a casing, a spring actuated. plunger telescoping with the casing, a base of insulating material carried'byl the casing, spaced contacts mounted on the base, a U-shaped standard carried by the base, a U-slraped 'switch member p'ivoted to the arms of the standard, a pivoted trip mounted on the standard and comprising a` cross bar and a yoke, pins projecting laterally from the ends of the cross bar, a con trac-tile helical spring connecting said yoke with the closed end of the switch member, a finger pivoted to the plunger and extending between said pinsand below the same and having opposed shoulders to cooperate therewith, and a bar connectingthe pins on the cross bar and maintaining the finger in' operative position.

3. A switch comprising a easing, a spring actuated plunger telescoping with the casing, a base of insulating materia-1 carried by.

the casing, spaced contacts mounted on the base, a U-shaped standard carried by the base, va U-shaped switchmember pivoted to the arms of the standard, a pivoted trip mounted on the standard and comprising a cross bar and a yoke, pins projecting laterally from the ends of the cross bar, a contractile helical spring connecting said yoke with the closed end of the switch member, a finger pivoted tothe plunger and extending between said pins and below the same and having opposed shoulders to cooperate therewith, and a bar connecting the pins on the cross bar and maintaining the finger in operative position, and a pin and slot connection between the casing and plunger whereby to prevent relative turning movenient of the parts.

4. An electric switch comprising a base of insulating material, spaced contacts mounted on the base at one side thereof, a stop carried by said base at the other side thereof, a standard carried by the base, a switch member pivoted to the standard, a

switch comprising a cross bar and a yoke and pivoted to said standard and having projections upon opposite sides of an axial line, a contractile helical spring connecting the yoke portion of the trip with the swinging end of the switch member, a plunger, a finger carried by the plunger and extending between the projections of the pivoted trip and provided with opposed shoulders having their outer edges inclined, said swinging end of the switch member adapted to alternately engage said spaced contacts and said stop.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE D. BOTTOMLEY.

Witnesses:

R. MARBLE, E. B. COLLINS. 

